Hispanic Illinois Lawyer Association

The Hispanic Illinois Lawyer Association, or the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois (better known as the HLAI), was established in 1995 and is a certified not-for-profit organization. During the 1970s, the Mexican American Lawyers Association and the Latin American Bar Association were both created to protect the rights of Hispanic lawyers in Illinois and to further the development of Latino lawyers throughout the state. In 1995, these two organizations merged to form the Hispanic Illinois Lawyer Association, which continues on its quest to further Hispanic lawyers within the state and to gain equal opportunities and outlets for the lawyers to work within.

Members of the Hispanic Illinois Lawyer Association

Currently, the Hispanic Illinois Lawyer Association represents around 300 attorneys, judges, and law students within the state of Illinois. Members of the Hispanic Illinois Lawyer Association include backgrounds in a variety of different ethnic groups and cultures, including Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cuba, South America, and Central America.

Committees of Hispanic Illinois Lawyer Association

Committees are formed within the Hispanic Illinois Lawyer Association to cover the following aspects of law: communications, community, outreach and immigration, judiciary, female lawyers, finance, membership development, and professional development. The organization invites all those who subscribe to their policies and beliefs to become active members of the group and participate in a committee of the Hispanic Illinois Lawyer Association. Committees of the organization meet throughout the year to organize future events and networking seminars, wherein Hispanic lawyers can meet and greet and work towards the development of the Hispanic Illinois Lawyer Association.

New Members

New members also are granted access to referral directories that serve as new business ventures and opportunities for the members. At the turn of the century, the Hispanic Illinois Lawyer Association founded the Latino Professional Organization, which, like the Lawyer Association, helps members of other fields of business in Illinois, and more specifically Chicago, to connect and develop with other Hispanics throughout the state.